The Brooklyn Nets face a setback as star player Ben Simmons has been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns due to a knee injury sustained during his first game in nearly three months. Simmons made his season debut on Monday against the Utah Jazz, contributing 10 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
Despite a promising return, Ben Simmons suffered a left knee contusion during the game, attributed to a hit he took on the court. The injury became apparent after the game as Simmons felt discomfort and underwent tests, revealing no further damage. His agent, Bernard Lee, assured fans on social media that the injury was minor.
Simmons’ playing time in his comeback game was limited to 18 minutes, a precautionary measure agreed upon by Simmons and head coach Jacque Vaughn. However, the injury occurred during the final play of the game, raising concerns about his immediate availability.
Nets’ head coach Vaughn stated that Simmons is considered day-to-day, and an MRI confirmed no structural damage in his knee. While the duration of Simmons’ absence remains uncertain, it is unlikely to be as prolonged as his previous injury, a pinched nerve in his back, which he began recovering from on Nov. 6.
As the Nets navigate Simmons’ injury, they have a challenging schedule ahead, including a matchup against Ben Simmons former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, on Saturday. The game against the Suns will mark Simmons’ 49th appearance since being traded to the Nets in 2022.
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